Asmodée Galy
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Geochronology
Archéosciences Bordeaux
Maison de l'archéologie
Université Bordeaux Montaigne
F-33607 Pessac cedex
GPR Human Past - WP 3 Action 2
asmodee.galy%40u-bordeaux-montaigne.fr
Research Interests
I have been working these last years in geochronology, more particularly in Uranium-series dating. We developed a new approach based on isotope imaging using the original coupling of femtosecond laser ablation system with a very high sensitivity inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). More specifically, I am working on isotope image processing and ultra-trace analysis (down to ppq).
We are currently implementing this method for the dating of various speleothems and biominerals, such as snail shells, ostrich eggshells, thin calcitic deposits, corals, teeth etc.
These analytical developments have led me to work on various Middle Paleolithic sites, notably on the settlement dynamics of the Levant in the Middle and Late Pleistocene (Skhul Cave, Misliya Cave, Tinshemet Cave, Nesher Ramla), but also on South African sites that show the first symbolic human expressions (Diepkloof Rock Shelter, Bushman Rock Shelter, Border Cave, Sibudu Cave).
Curriculum Vitae
Current Position
July 2022
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Geochronology , Archéosciences Bordeaux – GPR Human Past
Education
2018-2022
PhD in Physics of archaeomaterials “Settlement dynamics of the Levant in the Middle and Late Pleistocene: Contribution of U-series dating using LA-ICP-MS”
2013-2016
Bachelor’s degree in Art History and Archaeology (spec. Archaeometry)
Professional Work Experience
Field Laboratory
2022
Engineer in U-series dating of archaeological biominerals
2018-2022
PhD Student
2018
Trainee student (U-series-dating of ostrich eggshell using FsLA SF-ICP-MS)
2017
Trainee student (Luminescence dating)
2017
Trainee student (Post-excavation work)
Archaeological Fieldwork Experience
- Tinshemet Cave, Israel (July 2022)
Directors : Yossi Zaidner (Institute of Archaeology, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem) and Israel Hershkovitz (Dan David Center for the Study of Human Origins, Tel-Aviv University)
- Skhul Cave, Israel (July 2022)
Directors : Ron Shimelmitz (Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa) and Mina Weinstein Evron (Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa)
- Tinshemet Cave, Israel (June 2019)
Directors : Yossi Zaidner (Institute of Archaeology, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem) and Israel Hershkovitz (Dan David Center for the Study of Human Origins, Tel-Aviv University)
- Skhul Cave, Israel (December 2018)
Directors : Ron Shimelmitz (Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa) and Mina Weinstein Evron (Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa)
Technical Skills
Image processing (ImageJ®, development of macro-commands), Isotope Mapping, Femtosecond laser ablation, Isotope analysis, ICP-MS (Element XR ThermoScientific/ Agilent 8900), Ultra-trace analysis
Publications
Galy, Asmodée, et al. « Isotope Imaging of Ultra-Traces by LA-Fs HR-ICP-MS for U-Series Dating (U/Th) of Archaeological Biominerals: How Far Can We Go? » Journal of Physics: Conference Series, vol. 2204, no 1, avril 2022, p. 012017. Institute of Physics, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2204/1/012017.
Martin, Loïc, et al. « Isotopic Imaging Using FsLA Single-Collector ICP-SFMS for Direct U/Th Dating of Small Archaeological Carbonates ». Analytical Chemistry, janvier 2022, p. acs.analchem.1c02241. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.1c02241.
Zaidner, Yossi, et al. « Middle Pleistocene Homo Behavior and Culture at 140,000 to 120,000 Years Ago and Interactions with Homo Sapiens ». Science, vol. 372, no 6549, juin 2021, p. 1429‑33. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abh3020.